Transferases are officially classified under the Enzyme Commission (EC) system as . They follow a general reaction formula:
: Transfer acyl groups, vital for fatty acid metabolism and the synthesis of structured lipids. Biological Roles
A−X+B→A+B−Xcap A minus cap X plus cap B right arrow cap A plus cap B minus cap X is the donor, is the functional group, and is the acceptor. Primary Subclasses transferase
), critical for DNA methylation and gene expression regulation.
) between an amino acid and a keto acid, playing a key role in amino acid metabolism. : Transfer methyl groups ( −CH3negative cap C cap H sub 3 Primary Subclasses ), critical for DNA methylation and
A transferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a specific functional group (such as a methyl or phosphate group) from a donor molecule to an acceptor molecule. These enzymes are vital for metabolic pathways, including the synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Core Mechanism and Classification
: Transfer sugar moieties to form glycosidic bonds, which are essential for synthesizing blood group antigens and modifying drug stability. These enzymes are vital for metabolic pathways, including
Transferases are found throughout the cell, with high concentrations in the cytosol, mitochondria, and Golgi bodies. Molecule of the Month: Glutathione Transferases - PDB-101